Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta was out on the field Thursday at the Under Armour Performance Center, running routes, catching passing and being in the mix with other teammates during the team's organized team activity.

Such activity would hardly be a worth a mention for any other player, but Pitta's simple presence on the field is a major accomplishment for the 30-year-old who the Ravens selected in the fourth round of 2010 NFL Draft.

Pitta has played just three games over the past two seasons after suffering two major hip injuries. There were questions if Pitta would ever play again after being placed on the physically unable to perform in November after just a few weeks of practice last season.

"To be honest, I feel really good physically out there," Pitta said. "Obviously, I haven’t played football for a while, so there [are] some things I’m getting back used to, but overall I can’t complain. I feel great out there, and I feel like I’m running like I want to and like I used to, so it’s very encouraging.”

Pitta has 138 catches for 1,369 yards and 11 touchdowns in 50 regular-season games. His best season came during the Ravens Super Bowl season when he caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. Pitta then added 14 catches for 163 yards and three touchdowns during the playoff run.

However, Pitta's fortunes took a turn for the worse in 2013 when he fractured and dislocated his hip early in training camp while trying to make a catch in the back of the end zone on a pass from Flacco. He managed to rehab the injury and play in four games that season.

But Pitta fractured and dislocated his hip a second time on Sept. 21, 2014 against the Cleveland Browns. This time, Pitta went down on the field without any contact being made.

Pitta said he is positive he can make a comeback despite the injuries.

"Yes, I feel good," Pitta said. "I don’t have really any lingering issues, and nothing that I’m worried about. So, like I said, I’m encouraged by how I feel and how I’m moving, and excited to hopefully get back playing to the level that I was.”

Still, Pitta had to convince a lot of people, including the Ravens and his family, that he was OK enough physically to play again.

“I had to convince a few people, and I’m thankful for those who have been in my corner all along and had my best interests in mind," Pitta said. "Like I’ve said before, I know my situation better than anyone else, and I’m confident in the decision that I made to come back, and certainly there were people who wanted to make sure that I was confident in that decision. I have a great support team behind me, and we all feel good about this move.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he has been pleased from what he has seen from Pitta so far, but the true test will come during game situations.

“He looked good," Pitta said. "He looks like Dennis Pitta to me. I think it’s hard to really evaluate and make a comparison. If you’re asking for a comparison from what he was when he was playing to what he is now, he’s removed from football for a couple of years, and this is nothing.

"This is touch football. But I think as far as the stability of the hip, how he feels about it, running around making catches and looking like a football player, it’s all good.”

Harbaugh said he is only evaluating Pitta's performance on the field and does not get apprehensive about whether he will injure his hip again.

"I’m not thinking about that," Harbaugh said. "I don’t think he’s thinking about that. It’s not where your thought process goes. I’m watching to see how he runs a route and how he catches a ball and if he reacts to the codes the right way.

"The last thing on my mind is an injury – really for any player – that’s not how you look at it. I don’t think anybody has that on their mind when they’re competing.”

Pitta agrees.

“Fortunately (I don't think about the injury), and if (I) did, I probably wouldn’t be out here," Pitta said. "So, that was a big factor that weighed into the decision. Am I going to be thinking about it? Am I going to be confident in the stability of my hip? And the answer is I’m not worried about it. I’m totally confident in it, and that’s why I’m back out here."